Drain, vent and supply fitting



June 1965 R. J. BOOKER ETAL 3,187,349

DRAIN VENT AND SUPPLY FITTING 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 19, 1965 INVENTORS ROBERT J. BOOKER v GORDON EIWAGNER AT TORNEY June 8, 1965 R. .1. BOOKER ETAL DRAIN VENT AND SUPPLY FITTING 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 19, 1963 GORDON E.WA6NER R m mo 00 T B N E J VT. NR I E B O R ATTORNEY United States Patent DRAIN, VENT AND SUPPLY FETTWG Robert J. Booker and Gordon E. Wagner, Milwaukee, Wis, assignors to Bradley Washfountain Co., Milwaukee, Wis, a corporation of Wisconsin Filed Mar. 19, 1963, Ser. No. 266,395 2 Claims. ((31. 4-145) This invention relates to drain fittings for column show ers and like installations, and more particularly resides in an improved fitting which allows drain, vent and supply connections to be made from below the installation.

Column showers are commonly provided with drain fittings at their bases, the function of which is to collect drain water and direct it into a drain or sewer line. The simplest form of such a fitting merely comprises a vertical pipe, usually embedded in the floor, that has an open upper end at or below floor level and that leadsdownwardly to a drain line. The base of the shower is connected to a flange at the ,upper end of the drain pipe and is provided with openings through which drain water passes intothe pipe.

It is almost universally necessary to vent drain lines so that gases generated therein may escape. In some cases, the vent can be located at a point on the drain line re moved from the shower, but in many other cases municipal or architects specifications require venting at the shower.

Where venting at a column shower is required, it has heretofore been common to provide a crown-type vented trap at the bottom of the drain pipe, with a vent pipe leading upwardly from the crown of the trap to pass through the column of the shower and open to the atmosphere at a suitable place such as the roof of the building within which the shower is housed. Crown-type vented traps are not, however, fully satisfactory both because of their relatively high cost and because of the tendency of soap suds in the trap to 'clog the vent pipe. In some cases, specifications actually forbid the use of such traps.

Previously devised vented drain fittings have also been unsatisfactory in that they do not allow for water supply connections from below a shower. Such connections are desirable in many situations, but have not heretofore been possible in those cases where venting must be accomplished at the shower. 7

It is an object of this invention to provide a drain fitting by means of which drain, vent and water supply connectios may all be made from directly below a column shower or similar installation. a

It is another object of this invention to provide a fitting which allows for simple, effective drain and vent connections using standard plumbing fittings, in which improved venting is provided. i

It is another object of this invention to provide a fitting in which drainage into the fitting may occur about substantially the entire circumference of a shower column.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a fittingwhich may incorporate a seepage collecting trough for feeding floor seepage into a drain.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a fitting in which a vent pipe and supply tubes are 50' positioned as to allow for simple, convenient connections to and through a column shower.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a drain fitting in which plumbing connections below the fitting occupy minimum depth.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a fitting in which upstanding supply tubes and a vent pipe are provided at their tops'with a connecting flange toincrease the strength of the fitting, but are spaced apart below the flange to provide for improved drainage;

It is still another object of this invention to provide assists a fitting which may easily be formed as an integral castmg. 1 r

Other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof, in which there is shown by way of illustration and not of limitation a specific embodiment of the invention.

. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front view in elevation, with parts shown broken 'away and in cross-section, of a column shower provided with a drain fitting formed according to this invention,

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the drain fitting of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a view in cross-section of the drain fitting of FIG. 1, taken along the plane 33 shown in FIG. 2, and

FIG. 4 is a view in cross-section of the drain fitting of FIG. 1 taken along the plane 4-4 shown in FIG. 3.

The drain fitting shown herein is formed as an integrally cast unit of any suitable material such as cast iron. It includes a generally circular, floor-like base 1 encircled by an annular upstanding flange 2. The uppermost surface of the flange 2 is flat and is provided with any desired number of spaced threaded openings 3 which allow connection of the fitting to a column shower as will be described.

A relatively large, cylindrical drain pipe 4 opens upwardly through the base 1, adjacent the left hand inner edge of the flange l as seen in FIG. 2. From the base 1, the drain pipe 4 extends downwardly and to the left, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, at approximately a 45 angle.

A vent pipe 5 extends vertically through the base 1 adjacent the flange 2 at a point substantially diametrically opposite from the drain pipe 4, at the right hand inner edge of the flange 2 as seen in FIG. 2. Above the base 1, the vent pipe 5 is provided with a double curve so that it extends inwardly and upwardly to terminate directly. above the center of the base 1 in a threaded, upwardly facing open end or top 6. As can best be seen in FIG. 1, the radi- 5 is inwardly spaced from the flange 2 beginning immedi-.

ately above its top edge, which provides for improved drainage as will be described.

Below the base 1, the vent pipe 5 extends vertically downward for a short distance and then angles ofl in a direction opposite to the direction o'fthe drain pipe 4, t0 the right as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, at anangle of approximately 450.

A pair of generally vertical, cylindrical supply tubes 7 open downwardly through the base 1 and are located adjacent the inner edge of 'the flange 2 on opposite sides of and between the drain pipe 4 and vent pipe 5, to the left and right thereof as seen in FIG. 4, so as to make maximum use of the space provided by the base I. As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 4,'there are fillets 8 where the tubes 7 meet the flange 2, and these are inherent in a cast construction. The fillets 8 do not, however, extend above the top edge of the flange 2 so that the portions of the tubes 7 extending thereabove present substantially cylindrical surfaces to provide improved drainage as will be described.

The tubes 7 extend upwardly above the base 1 to terminate in the same plane as the end 6 of the vent pipe 5. As can best be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, a flange 9 joins the upper end 6 of the vent pipe 5 with the upper ends of the tubes 7 and, at theinner edges of the tubes 7, serves as a common wall therebetween. The flange 9 serves to strengthenthe fitting as well as simplify molding and casting. As can be seen in FIG. 3, however, the tubes 7 and vent pipe 5 are separated below the flange 9 to allow for drainage therebetween.

The drain fitting is also provided with an annular Patented June 8, 1965 seepage collecting trough 1i) encircling the flange 2. The flange 2 is provided with an aperture 11 therethrough so that seepage collected in the trough 10 may pass through the flange 2, and into the drain pipe 4 as will be described;

In FIG. 1, the drain fitting of the invention is shown connected to a floor mounted column shower having a base 12, a column portion 13, a soap tray14, operating handles 15 and shower heads 16, the shower being similar to that shown in US. Patent No. 2,991,943, issued July 11, 1961 to H. G. Mullett et al. for Adjustable Shower.

The drain fitting is embedded in a concrete floor, designated by the reference numeral 17 in FIG. 1, below the shower. The base 12 of the shower is provided with an outwardly turned flange 18 which rests on the top edge of the flange 2 and is secured thereto by means of bolts 19 which pass through the flange 18 and are engaged in the threaded openings 3. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the top surface of the flange 18 is flush with the level of the floor 17 so that the flange edge will not serve as a barrier to drainage, and. this can be accomplished by providing a cardboard gasket of equal thickness to the flange 18 which is placed on the top edge of the flange 2 while the floor 17 is being finished. After finishing, the gasket can be removed and the flange 18 may then be setflushwith the floor level.

The base 12 is provided, immediately above the flange 18 and about its entire circumference, with drainage openings 20 through which water collected on the floor 17 may pass. In accordance with usual practice, the floor 17 slopes downwardly from all sides toward the base 12 so that water will flow through the openings 20 by means of gravity.

The trough 10 is filled with gravel so that it will remain open. to serve as a seepage collecting trough. Seepage between the floor 17 and the outer edge of the flange 2 will be collected in the trough 10 and will pass through the aperture 11 into the drain pipe 4. If desired, a plastice. sheet or other suitable means may be attached to the flange 10 radiating outwardly therefrom below floor level so that seepage through the floor 17 from a greater distance will be collected and fed into the trough 10.

The lower end of the drain pipe 4 is connected to an elbow 22 having a bell at its upper end. In accordance with usual practice, lead and oakum are used to fill the space between the bell of the elbow 22 and the lower end of the drain pipe 4 to insure a secure, watertight connection 23.

The elbow 22 is in turn connected to a conventional P-type trap 24, and the trap 24 is in turn connected to one leg of a Y-fitting 25 from'which a drain line 26 extends to the right as seen in FIG. 1.

The lower end of the vent pipe is received in a bell at the end of an upwardly extending leg 27 of the Y-fitting 25, with lead and oakum being used to effect a secure, watertight connection 28. The leg 27 and vent pipe 5 serve as a vent off the drainage line formed by the trap 24, fitting 25 and drain line 26. This vent connection is substantially directly below the column shower to conform. to specifications which require venting at a shower. Venting in this manner is far superior to the use of crown-type traps since clogging of the vent is virtually eliminated. To insure adequate venting, the branch 27 should be laterally spaced from the weir of the trap 24 a distance equal to at least twice the internal diameter of the trap 24.

The oppositely angled lower ends of the drain pipe 4 and vent pipe 5 simplify making connections between these elements and the elbow 22 and branch 27, since the space thus provided between the lower ends of the pipes 4 and 5 makes it possible to make the leaded connections 23 and 28 relatively easily. Also, the angles of the pipes 4 and 5 help in reducing the overall depth of the plumbing connections. The angles and length of the pipes 4 and 5 in any particular case should be selected to strike a balance between the various factors which must be considered in providing a suitable installation, such as depth, connection requirements and the angles required to insure adequate flow. The fact that conventional fittings such as the elbow 22, trap 24 and Y-fitting 25 may be used greatly simplifies and reduces the cost of installation.

A pair of water supply pipes 29, one for hot water and one for cold, extend to the left and then upwardly as seen in FIG. 1 to pass through the supply tubes 7 and thence upwardly into the shower. The inner diameters of thetubes 7 should be such as to allow the pipes 29 to pass therethroughwith a relatively loose fit. The fact that the pipes 29 may pass through the tubes 7 makes additional connections unnecessary, and also allows conformance to those specifications which require that there be no common wall between supply and drainage facilities in plumbing installations.

The pipes 29 extend upwardly to where they are connected to a manifold system (not shown) at about the height ofthe handles 14. A manifold system such as that shown in US Patent No. 3,045,250, issued July 24, 1962 to R. J. Booker et al. for Shower Manifold, is illustrative of a satisfactory system.

A vent tube 30 is threadedly connected to the upper end 6 of the vent pipe 5 and extends upwardly through.

the column 13 and above the shower. The vent tube 30 may lead to any suitable place for venting, such as the roof of the building within which the shower is housed. If desired, a shroud (not shown) may be placed above. the shower to conceal the pipe 30.

The positioning of the upper end 6 of the vent pipe 5 over the center of the base 1' is advantageous in that it.

allows the vent pipe 30 to lead upwardly through the center of the column 13. Most manifold systems are toroidal and have a central opening, whereby venting is most easily accomplished through the center of the column. Since the upper end 6 is positioned at the center of the column, bends or additional connections are unnecessary for the pipe 30. Having the pipes 29 on either side of the vent pipe 30 is also advantageous since in normal installations this positions the pipes 29 for easy connection to a manifold system.

Water issuing from the shower heads 16 will be collected andfed by the sloping floor 17' through the openings 20. The supply tubes 7 are of cylindrical configuration which means that they contact the base llonlyalong a vertical line, and the vent pipe S'curves inwardly and upwardly from the top of the flange 2 so that drainage may be had from about substantially the entire circumference of the base 12. Also, the spacing between the tubes 7 and vent pipe 5 allows adequate. drainage from the right side of the base 12. as seen in FIG. 2.

It is a special feature of this invention that the drain fitting may be formed as a relatively simple integral casting. If desired, however, the unit need not be cast as an integral whole. The supply tubes 7 could, for example, be welded or otherwise aflixed in place through the base 1 after the latter. has been formed. In essence, it is necessary only that there be watertight connections between the vent pipe and supply tubes and the base of of the fitting.

Although a fitting for a column shower has been shown herein, it should be obvious that fittings embodying the principles of this invention may be designed for other floor mounted installations.

A specific and preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown herein, but a number of variations might be made without departure from the invention. The invention is not, therefore, intended to be limited except insofar as such limitations appear in the following claims.

We claim:

*1. In a drain, vent and supply fitting, the combination comprising: a floor-like base having therethrough a drain opening, a vent opening, and a supply opening, each of said openings being separate from the others; a drain pipe connected to the base with its upper end in communication with the drain opening, said drain pipe extending below the base and angling away from the base; a vent pipe connected to the base that is in communication with the vent opening and that extends above and below the base, with the portion of the vent pipe below the base angling away from the base in a direction substantially opposite to the drain pipe; and a supply tube connected to the base that is in communication with the supply opening and extends above the base.

2. In a drain, vent and supply fitting, the combination comprising: a circular, floor-like base having an upstanding flange about its periphery, said base being provided therethrough with a drain opening inwardly adjacent the flange, a vent opening that is separate from the drain opening and is inwardly adjacent the flange at a point substantially directly opposite from the drain opening, and a pair of supply openings separate from the drain and vent openings that are disposed inwardly adjacent the flange between and on opposite sides of the drain and vent opening; a drain pipe formed integrally with the base having an upper end in communication with the drain opening, said drain pipe extending below the base and angling away from the base; a vent pipe formed integrally with the base that is in communication with the vent opening and extends below the base and angles away from the base in a direction substantially opposite to that of the drain pipe, said vent pipe also extending above the base and angling inwardly and upwardly to terminate at an upper end that is substantially directly above the center of the base; a pair of supply tubes formed integrally with the base and in communication with respective supply openings, said supply tubes extending above the base to terminate at upper ends substantially at the level of the upper end of the vent pipe; and a connecting flange formed integrally with and connecting the upper ends of the supply tubes and the vent pipe, there being spaces between the supply tube and the vent pipe between the flange and the base.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,582,548 4/26 Schlesinger et a1 4-191 1,821,339 9/31 Mullett et al 4191 2,293,544 8/42 Heine et al 4-167 2,859,452 '11/58 Se'ewack 4146 EDWARD V. BENHAM, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A DRAIN, VENT AND SUPPLY FITTING, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING: A FLOOR-LIKE BASE HAVING THERETHROUGH A DRAIN OPENING, A VENT OPENING, AND A SUPPLY OPENING, EACH OF SAID OPENINGS BEING SEPARATE FROM THE OTHERS; A DRAIN PIPE CONNECTED TO THE BASE WITH ITS UPPER END IN COMMUNICATION WITH THE DRIAN OPENING, SAID DRIAN PIPE EXTENDING BELOW THE BASE AND ANGLING AWAY FROM THE BASE; A VENT PIPE CONNECTED TO THE BASE THAT IS IN COMMUNICATION WITH THE VENT OPENING AND THAT EXTENDS ABOVE AND BELOW THE BASE, WITH THE PORTION OF THE VENT PIPE BELOW THE BASE ANGLING AWAY FROM THE BASE IN A DIRECTION SUBSTANTIALLY OPPOSITE TO THE DRAIN PIPE; AND A SUPPLY TUBE CONNECTED TO THE BASE THAT IS IN COMMUNICATION WITH THE SUPPLY OPENING AND EXTENDS ABOVE THE BASE. 